Monday night was a golden moment for dozens of graduating seniors as they received honors recognizing them for their contributions to Northern Arizona University.
Forty-three students received the university’s coveted Gold Axe Award for their achievements. Four of the winners—Rogelio Barroga Jr., Shelby Dalgai, Amy Edgerton and Benjamin Gouveia—also received the prestigious President’s Prize for their exemplary leadership, academic excellence and service to the NAU community.
Eight students pictured below also were named Distinguished Seniors by their college. The awards were announced at the Gold Axe and Distinguished Seniors awards banquet in the High Country Conference Center.
 Comparative Cultural Studies College of Arts and Letters |  Elementary Education College of Education |  Geology College of Engineering, Forestry and Natural Sciences |  Fitness and Wellness College of Health and Human Services |
 Journalism College of Social and Behavioral Sciences |  Accountancy, Computer Information Systems The W.A. Franke College of Business |  Liberal Arts Extended Campuses |  University Studies University College |
The tradition of the Gold Axe Award dates back to 1933, a year after the student body adopted the axe as the symbol for Lumberjack athletics. It was then that NAU adopted the tradition of awarding small gold axe pins to outstanding members of the student body. To this day, the gold axe pin is considered the official emblem of the Associated Students of NAU and is presented each semester to recognize students’ outstanding achievements and distinguished service to the university and the greater community.
Students selected for a Gold Axe Award also are eligible for the President’s Prize, considered the highest student recognition from the university. After reviewing all the Gold Axe nominations, a universitywide committee makes its recommendations to President Rita Cheng, who then selects the President’s Prize winners.
Below are the winners of this semester’s Gold Axe awards, along with the NAU faculty or staff member the students named as having the most significant impact on them during their undergraduate career. View a photo album from the event online.
 Hotel and Restaurant Management President’s Prize Recipient Beth Bourget, Alumni Relations |  Political Science Deborah Harris, Student Life |  Criminology and Criminal Justice Sarah Uminski, Student Success Initiatives |  Business Administration Elena Del Socorro Arroyo, NAU-Yuma |
 Criminology and Criminal Justice Rebecca Maniglia, Criminology and Criminal Justice |  Visual Communication Honors Program John Gialanella, School of Communication |  Finance, Political Science Gretchen Gee, Politics and International Affairs |  Social Work Julie Fritzler, Sociology and Social Work |
 Music Performance Edith Copley, School of Music |  Economics, Management, Finance Craig Van Slyke, The W.A. Franke College of Business |  Creative Media and Film Kevin Gemoets, Student Life |  Special and Elementary Education April Peters, Office of the Vice Provost for Academic Affairs |
 Biomedical Science President’s Prize Hendrik De Heer, Physical Therapy and Athletic Training |  Exercise Science Honors Program Kim Bruno, Athletics |  Psychological Sciences Chad Woodruff, Psychological Sciences | Elementary Education Jean Ann Foley, College of Education: Teaching and Learning |
 Special and Elementary Education Sigmund Boloz, College of Education: Teaching and Learning |  Special and Elementary Education Claudia Sturgis, College of Education: Educational Specialties |  International Hospitality Management Honors Program President’s Prize Frances Hill, School of Hotel Restaurant Management |  Hotel and Restaurant Management Mark Molinaro, School of Hotel Restaurant Management |
 Strategic Communication Honors Program Emily Davalos, Honors Program |  Special and Elementary Education Brian Stone, College of Education: Teaching and Learning |  Mechanical Engineering President’s Prize Brian Mallory, Air Force ROTC |  Strategic Communication Honors Program Matthew Tantau, CSA Administration |
 Forestry Carol Chambers, School of Forestry |  Management, Marketing Margaret Dunfee, The W.A. Franke College of Business |  Management Honors Program Beverly Amer, The W.A. Franke College of Business |  Chemistry, Secondary Education Chemistry Megan Proctor, Student Unions and Activities |
Geology Lisa Skinner, School of Earth Sciences and Environmental Sustainability | Comparative Cultural Studies Honors Program Zsuzsanna Gulacsi, Comparative Cultural Studies |  Criminology and Criminal Justice Phoebe Morgan, Criminology and Criminal Justice |  Chemistry Honors Program Cindy Browder, Chemistry and Biochemistry |
 Forestry Kristen Waring, School of Forestry |  Social Work Wendy Bruun, First-Generation Programs |  Women’s and Gender Studies Frederick Gooding Jr., Ethnic Studies |  Nursing Troy Lee Campbell, Mountain View Hall |
 Strategic Communication Toni Minter, Calderón Learning Center |  Strategic Communication Peter Kosso, Emeritus |  Political Science Honors Program Anne Scott, English |  Exercise Science Benning Tieke, Global Languages and Cultures |
Journalism Honors Program Martin Sommerness, School of Communication |  Elementary Education Sigmund Boloz, College of Education: Teaching and Learning |  Political Science Stephen Nuno, Politics and International Affairs |